Mcdade, Greenwood Fail To Block Clinton Economic Plan

HOW CONGRESS VOTED

April 03, 1993|Congressional Quarterly

Votes of area members of Congress on key issues during the week ending yesterday.

HOUSE KILLS SPECIAL COMMITTEES

The House officially abolished four special panels Tuesday when it approved, 244-196, a resolution providing funding for the 21 standing committees but no new money for the so-called select committees.

Created between 1975 and 1984, the select committees' purpose was to study and highlight issues by holding hearings and making recommendations. Unlike other committees, the select panels could not report bills to the House.

The committees on Aging; Children, Youth and Families; Hunger; and Narcotics ceased to exist April 1.

Complaining the loudest about the demise of the select committees was Hunger Committee Chairman Tony P. Hall, D-Ohio. As a protest, he announced that he would begin a water-only fast on April 5. He did not say how long the fast would continue.

Voting for the resolution without funding for the select committees:

Pa. -- Kanjorski (D), Margolies-Mevzinsky (D).

Voting against:

N.J. -- Roukema (R), Zimmer (R).

Pa. -- Holden (D), McHale (D), Greenwood (R).

Not Voting:

Pa. -- McDade (R).

HOUSE APPROVES CLINTON'S BUDGET

On Wednesday the House approved, 240-184, the final version of President Clinton's broad economic plan, the fiscal 1994 budget resolution. The $1.5 trillion resolution spells out Congress' taxing and spending priorities for fiscal 1994 and beyond. The Senate approved the same bill April 1, completing action on the measure. The resolution is not sent to the president for his signature.

Supporters claimed the plan would attack the budget deficit while providing new money to improve the nation's infrastructure.

"This budget resolution is a major step toward reducing the debt passed on to our children -- while at the same time investing in their education, their jobs, and their future," said Rep. Dale E. Kildee, D-Mich.

Opponents, predominately Republicans, argued that the resolution would actually increase the deficit and hurt the economy.

"From the way I see it, when the record is finally complete, you can bet your bottom dollar, it means higher taxes, higher spending, and a bigger deficit," said Rep. Robert H. Michel, R-Ill.